Sydney FC is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Cancer Council, Australia’s leading cancer charity, for their 20th anniversary season.
The exciting partnership offers Cancer Council the opportunity to join forces with Australia’s most successful A-League club, as well as reach the league’s largest fan base.
Through this partnership, Cancer Council will have a platform to communicate its services and vital cancer information to the A-League’s largest and growing base of Australian football fans, as well as encourage fans to donate and support life-saving cancer research.
Cancer Council NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Hosking, expressed her delight with partnering with the Sky Blues.
“Each new season a ball is kicked, 51,000 Australians will have died from cancer in the last year.
“Through vital cancer research, we’ve been able to increase survival rates to around 70% today, but there’s more work to be done.
“Partnering with Sydney FC will provide us the opportunity to connect with the Greater Sydney community, empowering Aussies to prevent cancer and support world class research, reducing the impact of this deadly disease.
“With almost 1 in 2 Australians diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85, this partnership is crucial. Together with Sydney FC, it’s all of us against cancer.”
Sydney FC Chief Executive Officer, Mark Aubrey, similarly echoed his pleasure with the collaboration.
“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Cancer Council for our 20th anniversary season, uniting our fans and players behind a cause that touches every Australian family.
“At Sydney FC, we are committed to supporting our community both on and off the pitch, and this partnership provides a powerful opportunity to raise awareness and contribute to life-saving cancer research.
“Together with Cancer Council, we’re inviting our fans and the wider community to stand together against cancer, to make a lasting impact that will save lives and build a healthier future for all.”
The announcement is especially meaningful for new Sydney FC signing Harrison Devenish-Meares, whose mother Rosanna was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in 2021, a cancerous tumor that forms on the kidney, while the shot stopper was playing overseas.
“It was a complete fluke that we found it,” Harrison said. “I had been playing overseas and came back home for the first time in four years. We were having a welcome home party and she fell while dancing, breaking a rib. When they did the imaging, they found the cancer.”
Harrison shed light on the reality of being a professional footballer amidst a time of crisis Harrison commented: “The stress was overwhelming. My pre-season was starting overseas, and mum insisted I go, which was incredibly hard for me.”
For Harrison, the close-to-home experience was the first time he truly faced the concept of his parents’ mortality.
“I began to plan how I could bring my career back to Australia. I just wanted to be closer to home.”
Harrison’s mothers’ treatment was a success and the experience has provided her a new lease on life.
Rossanna now fundraises for Cancer Council, recently raising around $4,000 for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, expressing her appreciation for the charity’s support for all types of cancer.
Harrison concluded: “When it hits close to home, it hits different. Mum was lucky that her cancer was detected early, and her prognosis was excellent. I take inspiration from the fact she’s used it as a springboard to live a more fulfilling life.”
You can find out more about Harrison and Rosanna’s experience on Cancer Council’s website.
